Project Description

What is Cannabis Oil?

Cannabis oil is a concentrated, resinous substance that carries the potent medicinal properties of the marijuana plant. It is made using pure grain alcohol to extract THC, CBD and other cannabinoids from the plant matter.

In recent years, cannabis oil has become one of the most analysed methods of medical marijuana consumption, due to its high profile cases of success.

Most notably, it has been heralded as a successful treatment for cancer, diabetes, inflammatory syndromes and auto-immune disorders.

Ingestion Methods & Advice

Though cannabis oil can be applied to the skin, used as a rectal suppository or vapourized, it is most often administered orally with a dropper or medicine syringe (depending on the potency of the individual oil).

Since cannabis oil can be felt within 15 minutes when ingested orally, allowing some time after the first dose to determine if more is needed is recommended. It is suggested that smaller doses be layered on top of each other, waiting between each administration to see how efficacious it is, instead of taking one larger dose immediately. This will allow the patient or caregiver to observe the effects on the individual’s body without administering too high of a dose.

For patients who do not like the distinct taste of marijuana oil, taking drops in a very small amount of sweet juice, such as tangerine or pineapple, can be a much more pleasant experience, though this may slow the rate of absorption.

Advantages

One of the major benefits of marijuana oil is the aforementioned fast absorption; usually only 15 minutes must pass before the patient feels the effects, since it is absorbed through the oromucosal membranes and not the digestive system. 30 minutes after administration, the full potency of the cannabis oil should be felt by the patient. This is considerably quicker than many other medical marijuana ingestion methods and therefore makes cannabis oil a good option for patients with muscle spasms, or severe pain or neuropathy.

Cannabis oil may be a fit for patients who like to ingest their medical marijuana orally, but may have some difficulty eating or processing a whole edible. Only small amounts of tincture are needed for full medication, and this offers patients fast relief without having to take eating restrictions into account. Patients with Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), or orally concentrated illnesses may find cannabis oil helpful.

Marijuana oil may also be a good option for patients that cannot smoke or vapourize their marijuana. Patients who suffer from lung ailments, such as COPD, respiratory allergies, Cystic Fibrosis, and patients with lung cancer may find relief with cannabis oil, without having to inhale irritants into the body.

Disadvantages

Oil can be very potent, and therefore requires patients and caregivers to be mindful of dosage. The unwanted side effects of cannabis oil are the same as those one normally finds with marijuana. When too much cannabis oil is administered dizziness, increased appetite, and drowsiness may occur. Adjustment of dose can minimize these side effects.